The dog’s little area? (5)

I believe the answer is:

patch

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'area?' is the definition.
(patch is a kind of area)

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

(Other definitions for patch that I've seen before include "Plot - piece of cloth - period" , "Mend with piece of material" , "Repair; area" , "Mend with extra piece" , "Piece of sewn-on material" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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